Vivo Life uses SEKO Logistics as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.
Introduction to Vivo Life
Vivo Life is a rapidly growing health and fitness supplements company specializing in 100% plant-based products. Founded with a mission to create high-quality vegan health and fitness supplements that don't harm the planet, Vivo Life has positioned itself as a leader in the sustainable nutrition space. Their product lineup includes protein powders, nutritional supplements, and other health products that cater to environmentally-conscious consumers seeking plant-based alternatives.
Having established a strong market presence in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, Vivo Life has been experiencing significant growth and expanding its reach into the North American market. This expansion required a logistics partner that could not only handle their increasing order volume but also align with their core values of sustainability and exceptional customer experience.
Why Vivo Life Needed to Optimize Fulfillment
Before partnering with SEKO Logistics, Vivo Life faced several critical challenges that were hindering their growth and operational efficiency:
- Inadequate customization capabilities - Their previous logistics partner couldn't meet their requirements for customized boxing and sustainable packaging solutions
- Limited global reach - As Vivo Life aimed to expand into North America, they needed a partner with an established international network
- Sustainability concerns - Being a brand built on environmental consciousness, Vivo Life required a logistics partner who could support their sustainable business model and help reduce their carbon footprint
- Need for improved customer experience - They sought to enhance delivery times and overall customer satisfaction, particularly for their expanding customer base in North America
- Lack of collaborative partnership - Vivo Life wanted more than a conventional carrier relationship, seeking a partner who would understand their business and work collaboratively to achieve their goals
These challenges were particularly pressing as Vivo Life prepared for their first "Green Friday" campaign in the United States, making the need for an effective logistics solution more urgent than ever.
Partnership Details and Results
The partnership between Vivo Life and SEKO Logistics has yielded impressive results across multiple fronts:
- Successful North American expansion - SEKO enabled Vivo Life to successfully launch in the US market, with projections showing nearly threefold growth in US orders
- Optimized distribution network - Phase 1 established a distribution center in Chicago to serve east coast customers, with Los Angeles planned as the west coast hub, reducing transit times and shipping costs
- Reduced environmental impact - The dual distribution center approach has significantly reduced Vivo Life's carbon footprint by decreasing shipping distances
- Enhanced sustainability initiatives - SEKO implemented sustainable packaging solutions including customized boxing, eco-friendly materials, and the ability to include handwritten notes in orders
- Carbon footprint management - SEKO provided tools to measure and offset the carbon impact of Vivo Life's supply chain operations
- Unexpected cost savings - Despite the primary focus being on customer experience and environmental impact, the partnership has actually produced measurable cost savings
Perhaps most importantly, the partnership successfully supported Vivo Life's first "Green Friday" campaign in the US market, establishing a solid foundation for their continued growth in North America.
The SEKO Logistics Solution
SEKO Logistics implemented a comprehensive solution tailored to Vivo Life's specific needs and values:
- Dual distribution center strategy - Establishing fulfillment centers in strategic locations (Chicago and Los Angeles) to optimize delivery times and reduce shipping distances
- E-commerce fulfillment management - Taking full responsibility for USA fulfillment of e-commerce orders and final mile distribution
- Sustainable packaging implementation - Providing customized boxing and eco-friendly materials that aligned with Vivo Life's brand values
- Carbon footprint tools - Enabling measurement and offsetting of supply chain carbon impact
- Enhanced customer experience - Allowing for personalized touches like handwritten notes in orders
- Data analysis and project management - Delivering key insights and expert management to optimize operations
- Collaborative approach - Taking the time to understand Vivo Life's business model and working as partners rather than just service providers
This tailored approach has proven successful in supporting Vivo Life's unique business model and growth ambitions while maintaining their commitment to sustainability and customer experience.
Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands
The successful partnership between Vivo Life and SEKO Logistics offers several valuable lessons for other eCommerce brands seeking to optimize their logistics operations:
- Sustainability can be profitable - Despite focusing primarily on environmental impact and customer experience, Vivo Life achieved cost savings, demonstrating that sustainable practices can also be economically beneficial.
- Strategic distribution center placement is crucial - By establishing dual distribution centers based on customer concentration, brands can significantly reduce both delivery times and carbon footprint.
- 3PL partnerships should be collaborative - Choosing a logistics partner who takes the time to understand your business model and values can lead to more effective solutions and better outcomes.
- Brand values can extend to logistics - Companies with strong values, like Vivo Life's commitment to sustainability, can and should seek logistics partners who can implement those values throughout the supply chain.
These lessons highlight the importance of finding a logistics partner who aligns with your brand's values and business objectives, rather than simply focusing on cost or basic service offerings.
Is SEKO Logistics Right for Your Business?
While SEKO Logistics proved to be an excellent fit for Vivo Life, determining if they're the right partner for your business requires considering several factors:
- Growth stage and volume - SEKO accommodated Vivo Life despite them being a "smaller scale customer," showing their ability to work with growing brands. Consider if your order volume aligns with their capabilities.
- Geographic needs - If you're expanding into new markets, particularly North America or globally, SEKO's international network could be valuable. Their Chicago and Los Angeles distribution centers offer excellent coverage for the US market.
- Sustainability priorities - If environmental impact is important to your brand, SEKO's ability to implement sustainable packaging and carbon footprint management makes them a strong contender.
- Customization requirements - Brands requiring specialized packaging or personalized customer experiences should note SEKO's willingness to accommodate these needs.
- Collaborative approach preference - If you value a partner who will take time to understand your business rather than just execute tasks, SEKO's collaborative style may be appealing.
For businesses with similar needs and values to Vivo Life, SEKO Logistics could be an excellent partner. For those unsure of their 3PL needs, services like Fulfill.com's 3PL matchmaking service can help identify the best fit for your specific requirements.
Final Thoughts
The partnership between Vivo Life and SEKO Logistics demonstrates how the right 3PL relationship can do more than just solve logistical challenges—it can become a strategic advantage that enables business growth, enhances customer experience, and supports core brand values like sustainability.
For Vivo Life, this partnership has not only facilitated their expansion into the North American market but has done so in a way that maintains their commitment to environmental responsibility and customer satisfaction. The unexpected cost savings achieved alongside these primary goals further illustrates the value of finding a truly aligned logistics partner.
As eCommerce continues to grow and consumer expectations around delivery speed, sustainability, and unboxing experiences rise, partnerships like this one will become increasingly important to competitive success. Brands would do well to consider not just the functional capabilities of potential 3PL partners, but also their willingness to collaborate, adapt, and align with your unique business vision and values.
To find a 3PL partner that aligns with your specific needs, consider using resources like 3PL educational resources or reach out to fulfillment experts who can help match you with the right provider for your business goals.